1. The Federal Option for Afghanistan
- Author:
- Henry E. Hale
- Publication Date:
- 11-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- The future security and stability of Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus–all struggling to deal with the simultaneous forces of terrorism, crime, narcotics, poverty, and disease–require a successful political and economic transformation in Afghanistan. A federal system was rejected in favor of aunitary state structure for Afghanistan, but the government of Hamid Karzai has faced great difficulty extending central authority much beyond Kabul. New questions about state-building there and elsewhere in the region should compel policymakers to reconsider federalism among a range of options for how best to organize this complex and diverse society. Although critics charge that a federal solution to state organization enhances social cleavages and fosters instability, federalism could be aviable and effective option if constructed to minimize the power and influence of the demographically dominant group.
- Topic:
- Security
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Russia, Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus, Asia, and Kabul